Marbella - Juanar

DIRECTIONS

All these trails begin in the area known as Puerto Rico Bajo (2). To get there one must go to the new cemetery that lies at the start of the Ojén road (A-355). From the A-7, take the exit by the La Cañada shopping centre.When at the door of the cemetery, take the road going down and leave the cemetery to your right. Continue on until reaching Carril de la Via (1) where there is the Cascada de Puente Palos car park and a road to the right. On this road to the right is one of four panels indicating the start of a trail, which are located throughout the entire southern face of the Sierra Blanca. To get to the Puerto Rico Bajo car park (2) continue 500 metres along this road.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE

The road turns into a track with a chain that prevents vehicular access. Continue along this track and after some 300 metres there is a signpost (3) indicating the direction to be taken, towards Puerto Rico Alto.Continue along the track and after 400 metres you will find to the right the Nuestra Senora de la Paz fountain. A little further on, the track forks and you must continue to the right until coming to a signpost marker that indicates a path running to the right. The path begins to ascend the mountainside leading to the travertine cliffs which can be seen ahead, this formation is known as the Puerto Rico shelter or cave (Los Abrigos de Puerto Rico).

At this point the path leads up a sharp incline until coming to a cistern that channels spring water from Puerto Rico Alto. During the ascent there are beautiful views of the valley with Marbella and the blue sea in the background, on clear days you can even see the coast of Africa.

On the travertine cliffs there is a plateau known as Puerto Rico Alto, at this point you will find the ruins of Casa de la Finca (5) and an abandoned fruit orchard. Here you will find another signpost which indicates the way to Juanar.

A few metres further on is the dry riverbed of the Puerto Rico Alto spring (5), and it follows to the north towards Juanar leaving Vereda del Faro to the left. The track continues up to the next signpost (6) where the path leading up to Casa del Guarda remains to the left. You must continue on in the direction of Juanar.

Continue the ascent until reaching a spring from which flows Arroyo de la Barbacana, more commonly known as Arroyo de la Represa in its urban section. Once passed the spring, you cross an area previously affected by a fire and which is now regenerating nicely.

The ascent continues unhindered and the views expand, to the left is Pico de Juanar and Tajo de Juan Benitez, and to the right is Tajo Negro.Now almost at the end of the ascent is the signpost leading to Puerto de Juan Benitez (7). You must continue on towards Juanar.

The ascent comes to an end at Puerto de Marbella (8) on the side of Pico Juanar. Here is the last signpost indicating the path to the right, towards the viewing point where the route ends.